We're thrilled to formally invite all MadShaggers to NOT HER (AND OTHER EXILES), a new 50-minute evening of short plays we're producing at the beautiful, new multi-million dollar theatre complex at Dixon Place. The cast is extraordinary, the designers are on the top of their game, and the plays are stunning glimpses at what it means to be an outsider in America.

Reservations are easily made at http://www.dixonplace.org for either of our two performances. Let us know you'll be attending, so we can make sure to find you there!

Labels: MadShag News, New York City, Not Her

We're happy to announce the playwrights and creative artists who will be working to adapt the Epic of Gilgamesh into MadShag's 2009 project, THE GILGAMESH VARIATIONS:

Charles Borkhuis, NYC
Erin Browne, NYC
Jane Ann Crum, NYC
Jeffrey James Keyes, NYC
Barb Lanciers, NYC
Leonard Madrid, Albuquerque
Gretchen Michelfeld,NYC
Kay Mitchell,NYC
Juanita Rockwell, Baltimore
Barry Rowell, NYC
Gabriel Shanks, NYC

Some of the names you may recognize from previous collaborations -- Ms. Michelfeld is the author of our upcoming production Not Her, while Mr. Keyes, Mr. Rowell and Ms. Rockwell had works in our 2006 reading series. The other creatives on board are:

Lead Dramaturge: Kay Mitchell
Director: Gabriel Shanks
Scenic Design: Allen Cutler, Hartford
Costume Design: Shannon Maddox, Baltimore
Lighting Design: Erik C. Bruce, Los Angeles

More details to follow soon!

Labels: MadShag News

We are very excited to announce two new projects currently in development at MadShag, both of which will be making their premieres in the months to come. One is an adaptation, one an inspiration...and both firmly rooted in the collaborative ethos of MPG.



Having just experienced the extraordinary presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, playwright Gretchen Michelfeld uses the lens of Samuel Beckett to explore the struggles of her candidacy, defeat, and the implications for women who rail daily against the barriers of gender. This solo performance is currently in development, and will be staged in 2009...when the electoral frenzy will have given way to some serious contemplation.



Twelve playwrights from around the country will join forces to adapt the earliest masterpiece of creative fiction -- The Epic of Gilgamesh, the legendary series of Sumerian and Babylonian poems about the magnificent hero-king, who may have been an actual ruler in the 27th century BC. THE SLEEPING AND THE DEAD is a massive collaboration project shared among two dozen amazing artists in total, who together will explore the themes of gender, friendship, ritual and power – and the humanity that persists when ambition exceeds its grasp. This piece is being developed and workshopped for an early 2009 production, conceived and directed by Gabriel Shanks with lead dramaturg Kay Mitchell.

Labels: MadShag News, New York City

The premiere of Dennis Blackwell and Jason Hart: In Concert is less than a week away at The Metropolitan Room, and we couldn't be more excited that so many of you are coming to see it! As a special treat, Dennis and Jason recently went into the studio and recorded one of the songs, the unforgettable Lerner/Lane classic "Come Back To Me", just for the blog listeners! You can now hear and download the track for FREE for a limited time.

And if you haven't made your reservations yet, call (212) 206-0440 right away (no credit card necessary). Seats are going very rapidly for both performances. I can't wait to see you there!

Labels: Dennis Blackwell and Jason Hart, MadShag News, New York City

It's surprisingly looking like a hiatus around the MadShag HQ...trust us, we didn't plan it that way, it just happened! We just closed Nomi Tichman's solo performance piece at Dixon Place, In Ithaca, When Physics Saved My Life...a wonderful experience with one of NYC's most wonderful actresses. Now we're looking to 2008, where we'll stick our first toe into the murky waters of cabaret (at the Metropolitan Room, no less!) and continue developing our new projects. And if things work out, we'll be reviving our award-winning, sold-out smash 2004 hit adaptation of Poe's Fall of the House of Usher...this time in our "second city", Baltimore. Just in time for Halloween! Keep watching this space, we'll be back to full speed soon!

Labels: MadShag News